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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Anong lockdown?': Public warned vs fake health emergency posts using DOH logo

'Anong lockdown?': Public warned vs fake health emergency posts using DOH logo

Published Apr 6, 2026 08:31 pm
(PHOTO: DOH)
(PHOTO: DOH)
The Department of Health (DOH) said there is no Covid-19 lockdown, debunking viral posts linking it to an alleged “Cicada” variant and warning against fake pages using the agency’s name and logo.
“Wala ho talagang lockdown, peke po ang nakikita niyo sa social media. Isa lang ang Facebook page ng Department of Health Philippines ‘yun pong may blue check kung saan naglagay na rin kami ng disclaimer (There is no lockdown. What you are seeing on social media is fake. There is only one Facebook page of the Department of Health Philippines, the one with the blue check, where we have also posted a disclaimer),” DOH spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo said in a radio interview.
He noted that at least three pages with different titles have been posting similar unsubstantiated claims.
“Hindi nga rin namin alam kung saan nanggagaling ‘yan… ginagamit pa ang ating logo. At tatlong page na iyan na tila magkakaiba ‘yon kanilang mga titulo pero pareho ng mensahe (We do not even know where that is coming from… they are even using our logo. And those three pages may have different titles, but they carry the same message),” he added.
The DOH said current Covid-19 cases remain low, with infections significantly lower than last year.
“Napakatahimik ng ating mga bilang… 60 percent po na mas mababa (Our numbers are very low… about 60 percent lower),” Domingo said, noting that cases dropped from 865 recorded between January 4 and March 21 last year to 350 in the same period this year.
As such, he clarified that there is no detected variant referred to as “BA 3.2” in the country, and dismissed the use of the term “Cicada” in viral posts.
“Hindi natin tinatawag ‘yan ang Cicada sa Pilipinas… ‘yan po ay very American. ‘Yan po ay isang insekto na sa US nakikita (We do not call it ‘Cicada’ in the Philippines… that is very American. It is an insect found in the United States),” he said.
Domingo said misleading posts often use unfamiliar or alarming terms to attract attention.

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No lockdown DOH debunked lockdown posts warns fake pages using agency logo Cicada Covid
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